The then-18-year-old asked for $4.5 million from Atlanta, the MLB reported. The Braves offered him about $2 million.

By signing with Japan, Stewart has the opportunity to be an international free agent when he turns 25 — the year his contract expires, Passan reported, and added that there would be no restrictions with him signing with an MLB team.

His agent, Scott Boras, has spent years attempting to use this as a negotiation tactic but no player had gone through with it, according to Passan.